Peugeot · 1993–2002

Peugeot 306

The Peugeot 306 is a small family car built by the French car manufacturer Peugeot from 1993 to 2002. It replaced the 309. Peugeot gave the 306 many updates and aesthetic changes to keep up with the competition, and it was replaced by the 307 in 2001. Cabriolet and estate versions continued until 2002. Versions were built in Argentina by Sevel from 1996 to 2002.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Background

The 306 was developed between 1990 and 1992 for a launch in February 1993. It was a replacement for the Peugeot 309 (which had broken with Peugeot's normal ascending numbering system partly due to it being released before the older and larger Peugeot 305 was axed). Concept versions of the 306 were first seen around the end of 1990, although the motoring press initially reported that it was going to replace the smaller 205. However, by the end of 1991, Peugeot had confirmed that the new car was going to replace the 309, as well as some versions of the 205, which was going to remain in production for several more years, despite the launch of the entry-level 106 supermini in September 1991. Mechanically, the 306 is virtually identical to the Citroën ZX, which was launched two years before the 306: both cars use the same floorpan and core structure. The 306, with its Peugeot 205 derived Pininfarina styling, was a more successful car than its twin. The Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner were also built on the same platform. The chassis used by the 306 and ZX was also used in the ZX's replacement, the Citroën Xsara. The sharing of platforms between Peugeot and Citroën has been parent company PSA Peugeot Citroën policy since the late 1970s, after the Peugeot takeover of the then bankrupt Citroën in the wake of the 1974 oil crisis. The first example was the Peugeot 104-based Citroën Visa and Citroën LNA (and the Talbot Samba).

306 Phase 1

The 306 was released in 1993 as a 3- and 5-door hatchback, with saloon and cabriolet models being introduced a year later. The Phase 1 model was known as the N3 in Australia and was introduced in 1994. A wide array of different model types were offered during the life of the Phase 1 model, including Genoa, XSS, XT, XRdt and XLd. Various 'performance' models were added later, such as the S16, XSi and GTI-6 (petrol) and the D-Turbo S (diesel). All variants of the 306, with the exception of the GTI-6 and cabriolet models, were priced very competitively. Petrol engines. The initial petrol engines used were proven four-cylinder units, which had gained a solid reputation in Peugeot models such as the 205, 309 and 405. At first, all mainstream models were powered by derivatives of the TU series 8-valve engine, in 1.1-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre guises. The 1.1 was dropped quickly, but the 1.4 and particularly the 1.6 variants sold well, the latter offering a balance between performance and economy. Three larger-capacity units were available, but restricted to automatic and performance models. These engines were developments of the larger XU series units which had been used in the 205 GTi 1.9, and larger 405 models. A 1.8-litre version powered cars with both manual (not many 1.8 manuals were produced) and automatic transmission, while two versions of the 2.0-litre engine in 8- and 16-valve guises powered the XSi and S16 models respectively. In Australia, the only engines available were the 1.8 and 2.0 L engines. Diesel engines. Peugeot had an excellent reputation for its diesel engines, and the 306 was originally offered with the XUD series diesel engine in both normally aspirated and turbocharged forms. This engine was initially a 1769 cc unit, but its capacity was soon enlarged to 1

306 Phase 2

The 306 underwent the only major revamp of its life in May 1997, with the launch of the "Phase 2" version (N5 in Australia). The basic shape remained the same, but lights, grille and bumpers were redesigned in an effort to bring the styling into line with the new, more rounded, Peugeot family look established with the Peugeot 406. Indicator lamps were incorporated into the headlamp unit and the new style "block filled" Peugeot lion logo was adopted. The Phase 2 also saw the addition of an estate version. A new-style typeface for the car's model number was adopted on the tailgate, removing the black plastic backing. There were also some changes to the dashboard layout, including a digital odometer, and trim quality which freshened up the car in the face of increasingly stiff competition from other manufacturers. New engines were also offered, with both 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines gaining 16-valve cylinder heads together with modest power increases. At this time, the previous trim designations were replaced by L, LX & GLX for the UK market. XS, XSi and GTI-6 models continued as before, but with the Phase 2 headlight, grille, bumper and other cosmetic updates alongside the rest of the range. Cars from 1998 onwards (1999 model year) received further enhancements, including an aluminium-effect centre console on certain versions and a chrome Peugeot logo on the steering wheel. Other updates included removal of the black strip on the bootlid, colour-coded bumpers on some models and new upholstery in the cabin. New models also appeared in Phase 2 trim. Markets. ==== Europe ==== Eighty Phase 2 306 S16s entered service with the French National Gendarmerie's Rapid Intervention Brigade from 1997 onwards, replacing a fleet of Peugeot 405 T16 sedans. Among other modifications for tra

306 Phase 3

Models from mid-1999 saw further improvements and exterior modifications, including clear lenses on the headlamps, round and clear lensed foglamps, complete colour-coding of the exterior trim, removal of the black plastic strip on the lower edge of the tailgate, flush glass seal to rear windscreen, a redesigned tailgate rear badge, different rear wiper and new paint colours. Interior upgrades were more minor, with the gearknob becoming rounder and silver topped, while the instrument binnacle received a silver background and white instrument needles in place of the previous red versions. XSi, XT and D Turbo models all received the GTi-6's bodykit and interior styling additions but not the cyclone alloy wheels. In the diesel variants, the ageing XUD engine was replaced by the newer, HDi engine, which featured common rail injection. Some base models made use of the DW8 normally aspirated diesel engine. Almost all models included ABS and multiple airbags as standard equipment. Rain sensitive automatic windscreen wipers were also standard on all but the base spec.

The end of the line

Despite Peugeot's efforts, the car placed poorly in a variety of ownership and customer satisfaction surveys of the time, such as the annual JD Power survey which was run in association with the BBC Top Gear television programme. Nevertheless, the car featured in the Top 10 Best Selling Cars In Britain from 1994 to 1998, only narrowly missing out on the top 10 during its final three years on sale. Sales in France and most of the rest of Europe were also strong. In Australia, a run-out model was introduced in early 2001. Based on the N5 XT 5-door model, it was called the 306 Rallye. As with other XT variants, it had the same 99 kW/132 bhp engine and 5-speed gearbox as the late XSI models but different (less sporty) suspension and interior trim. It was also available in automatic. It replaced the XT model in the lineup and was discounted by AU$2000. This model was different from the 306 Rallye sold in the UK in 1998 - 99, which was a 3-door car based on the 306 GTI-6. The hatchback 306 was discontinued in 2001 to make way for its replacement, the Peugeot 307. The cabriolet and estate variants both remained on sale until 2002. The slow-selling saloon was axed from the United Kingdom market in 1999, but it was still available in the rest of Europe until 2002.

Motorsport

The Peugeot 306 Maxi competed in Group A of the French and World Rally Championship. The GTI version of the car also won the Spa 24 hours endurance race in 1999 and 2000. The car took the Danish Touringcar Championship in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and the Asian Touring Car Series title in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The Peugeot 306 GTi was a common car in the BTCC from 2000 to 2003. In 2000, the entry of one 306 GTi was that of Alan Morrison driving for Vic Lee Racing in Class B, which was made up of smaller and slower cars. He finished first in class (12th overall) in the first race at Brands Hatch. Morrison gained a lead over James Kaye. By the end of the season, he had 13 wins in his class and that had just given him the win with the 306 with 264 points, just 4 points ahead of Kaye with 260 points. Other entries included Will Hoy, Lee Linford, Toni Ruokonen and Dan Eaves. The other 306 drivers for the team: Hoy, Linford, Ruokonen and Eaves, all scored points. Ruokonen and Eaves both scored podium finishes. In 2001, saw more entries of the 306 GTi. Two HTML-sponsored 306s were entered for the season in the Production class with Norwegian driver Roger Moen, and Simon Harrison. Harrison and Moen finished in a 1-2 formation in the first race. Roger took another second place in race two. On many occasions, the duo finished close together in almost every race. After eleven podium finishes between them, they finished 1st and 3rd in the championship standings with Simon Harrison having 227 points and Roger Moen, 212 points. Tech-Speed Motorsport entered two 306s with Paul O'Neill and Annie Templeton at the wheel. O'Neill's best finish was a second in class (6th overall), Templeton's was a 6th in class (11th overall). O'Neill finished 8th with 74 points and Templeton 19th with 21 points

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Peugeot 306
Manufacturer: Peugeot
Class: Small family car (C)
Production: 1993–2002
Assembly: France: Poissy (Poissy Plant), France: Sochaux (Sochaux Plant), Argentina: El Palomar (Sevel: saloon), Chile: Los Andes (Automotores Franco Chilena S.A.), Ecuador: Manta (Noboa / Coenansa), Indonesia: Jakarta (Gaya Motor: saloon), Italy: San Giorgio Canavese (Pininfarina: CC), Nigeria: Kaduna (PAN), United Kingdom: Ryton-on-Dunsmore (Ryton Plant), Uruguay: Barra de Carrasco (Oferol: Break)
Predecessor: Peugeot 309
Successor: Peugeot 307
Wheelbase: 2580 mm
Length: 4030 mm (hatchback), 4267 mm (sedan), 4338 mm (wagon)
Width: 1680 mm
Height: 1380 mm (hatchback), 1386 mm (sedan), 1415 mm (wagon)
Body style: 3/5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon, 5-door estate , 2-door cabriolet
Layout: FF layout
Transmission: 4-speed automatic ZF 4HP14, 4-speed automatic AL4, 5-speed manual MA 5, 5-speed manual BE 3/5, 6-speed manual BE 3/6
Related: Citroën Xsara, Citroën ZX
Designer: Pininfarina (hatchback) , Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina (cabriolet)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q431152CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_306CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377313540 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peugeot_306_Break_front_20071026.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Rudolf Stricker · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.